Deposit Your Tax Refund into Your IRA

Your tax refund can give your finances a boost, but only if you don’t spend it. And now it’s easy to put that money straight to work for you. No more having to wait for a check and then deciding what to do with it. If you already have a TIAA-CREF Traditional, Roth or SEP (Simplified Employee Pension Plan) IRA, you can request — on your Form 1040 — to have part or all of your federal tax refund automatically deposited into the IRA. Here’s how.

Please Note: The 2014 contribution limits for both Traditional IRAs and Roths IRAs remained the same as 2013. The maximum you can contribute is $5,500 ($6,500 if you're age 50 or older).

On IRS Form 1040, complete lines 74b through 74d. For the 2014 tax year, you can contribute up to $5,500 to an IRA (or up to $6,500 if you’re age 50 or older).

On line 74b, insert the following routing number: 021409169

On line 74c, select: Checking

On line 74d, insert the following account number: 018 followed by your IRA contract number (example: 018N1234567).

If you need assistance, please call us at 800 842-2252. You can also read more about how to fill out this section of Form 1040 by downloading "Instructions 1040" on the IRS website at irs.gov .

To split your deposit among up to three accounts (IRA or other):

You’ll need to complete two forms: IRS Form 1040 and IRS Form 8888 (Form 8888 is the form you’ll use to give instructions for automatic deposits to more than one account).

On Your Form 1040

Check the box on line 74a and attach Form 8888. For the 2014 tax year, you can contribute up to $5,500 to an IRA (or up to $6,500 if you’re age 50 or older).

Leave lines 74b, 74c and 74d blank.

On Your Form 8888

In sections 1 through 3, you provide information for each of the account deposits that you’ll be making:

Enter the amount to be deposited in 1a, 2a and (if applicable) 3a.

In 1b, 2b and (if applicable) 3b, enter the routing number. For a deposit to a TIAA-CREF IRA, enter the following routing number: 021409169

For any IRA account deposit, select: Checking

For a deposit to a TIAA-CREF IRA, enter the following account number: 018 followed by the IRA contract number for the IRA into which you’re making the deposit (example: 018N1234567).

If you need assistance, please call us at 800 842-2252.

IMPORTANT: A direct deposit to a Traditional, Roth or SEP IRA made after January 1, 2014 will automatically be made as a 2014 tax year contribution. If you wish to have your deposit made to an IRA as a 2013 tax year contribution, please call and speak with a TIAA-CREF consultant at 800 842-2252 after TIAA-CREF has received the funds.

In order to qualify as a 2013 tax-year contribution, the deposit must be received by TIAA-CREF no later than April 15, 2014. Please note that only federal tax returns (not state tax returns) can be automatically deposited to an IRA. Your IRA must be established before you can request that your tax refund be automatically deposited to it. Open a TIAA-CREF Traditional, Roth or SEP IRA.

The tax information contained herein (including any attachments) is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding any tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. It was written to support the promotion of the products and services addressed herein. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

Investments in securities carry market risk.

Investment, insurance and annuity products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, are not deposits, are not insured by any federal government agency, are not a condition to any banking service or activity, and may lose value.

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